Biomed Environ Sci. 1996 Sep;9(2):341-7.

The effectiveness of weekly iron supplementation regimen in improving the iron status of Chinese children and pregnant women.

Biomedical and environmental sciences : BES

X N Liu, P Y Liu

PMID: 8886348

Abstract

It is evident that intermittent iron supplementation is better than daily supplementation in two aspects: iron absorption is more efficient and has insignificant side effects in contrast to the daily dose. The significantly higher daily iron loss observed in the daily iron supplemented groups rats also suggests alterations in total body iron metabolism. Based on serum ferritin distribution patterns, intermittent iron supplementation avoids temporary iron overload with daily iron supplemented. We conclude that weekly iron supplementation scheme is safer and easier to administer. This feasible strategy for the control of iron deficient anemia in pregnant women and children would be an effective iron-supplementation program (Baily et al., 1993).

Keywords: Age Factors; Asia; Child; China; Deficiency Diseases--prevention and control; Delivery Of Health Care; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Diseases; Eastern Asia; Food Supplementation; Health; Health Services; Ingredients And Chemicals; Inorganic Chemicals; Iron; Metals; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Programs; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Pregnant Women; Primary Health Care; Research Report; Time Factors; Youth

Substances

• Iron

MeSH terms

• Animals
• Child
• Child Nutrition Disorders / drug therapy
• Child, Preschool
• China
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Female
• Humans
• Intestinal Absorption / physiology
• Iron / adverse effects
• Iron / therapeutic use
• Iron Deficiencies
• Nutritional Status*
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Care / methods
• Rats

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't